Sports

Inland swimmers prep for CIF-SS finals

The 2014 CIF-Southern Section Swimming Finals begin Thursday at the Riverside Aquatics Complex at Riverside City College, and while there’s plenty of star talent and storylines, there’s also a distinct nod to the level off water-borne talent emerging from the Inland area.

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Inland swimmers prep for CIF-SS finals

Drama is never in short supply when the participants are all in bathing suits.

The 2013 CIF-Southern Section Swimming Finals begin Thursday at the Riverside Aquatics Complex at Riverside City College, and while thereâs plenty of star talent and storylines, thereâs also a distinct nod to the level off water-borne talent emerging from the Inland area.

âThereâs so many collegiate swimmers coming out of Riverside and San Bernardino now,â Riverside King athletic director Tony Masi. âMoving the (CIF) meet from the Belmont Pool in Long Beach to RCC might be way of saying, âHey, thereâs some really good swimmers out here.ââ

The RAC is primed for what could be the fastest Southern Section finals in history after eight league records fell at last weekâs Big VIII finals.

DIVISION 1

How fast will Kyle Gornay go this year?

The Redlands junior swam a meet-record 47.29 in winning last yearâs Division 1 butterfly final, and shows no signs of slowing, having posted to only area time less than 50 seconds in the 100 butterfly this season.

There are only 23 area athletes â" all from the Citrus Belt League -- listed for Saturday nightâs marquee 5 p.m. meet, though many have a shot at a podium spot.

Yucaipaâs Julian Jacobs was the areaâs fastest sprinter for most of the season and is a threat to win both the boys 50 free and 100 free. Teammate Emily Martin has posted some of the areaâs top girls 100 free and 200 free times.

The Big VIII League and Southwestern League take center stage on Saturday morningâs Division 2 finals.

Corona Centennialâs low-low number in the 200 medley relay (1:39.80) is impressive against the Southern Sectionâs stiffest competition. Steven Thorp, Dimitri Rogers, Brandon Seay and Joshua Gallagher swam their best time last week at the Big VIII League finals.

Two of the areaâs fastest girls -- Temecula Chaparralâs Kate Santilena and Riverside Kingâs Claire Fisch â" are peaking at the right time. Santilena is the reigning Inland area Girls Swimmer of the Year while Fisch, only a freshman, set league records in winning the 50 Free (23.94) and 100 Free (52.70) at last weekâs Big VIII finals.

Murrieta Valleyâs Daniel Ghomi, Ganem Tebet and Adrian Gutierrez highlight a cast of 15 Nighthawks that may prove to be their best yet for the 14-time league champions.

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